7mm 08 vs .243 Win for small shooters

[Shadow]

I am still kicking around the idea of getting a rifle for my girlfriend. I have shot a .243 and I know she would love the felt recoil on it, virtually nill. I have never fired a 7mm 08 though, and I personally prefer the larger bullet. I am not knocking the .243 by any means, I just feel the 7mm would be better on a marginal shot; which might happen with a new shooter. Think she could handle the 7mm 08 with out getting a flinch or scope in the eye? She is a tiny person, like 5' 95 pounds. I still have not decided whether I should get the .243 which she would most likely shoot a hair better, or go with the 7mm which could be used on bigger game should we decide to make an elk trip. What would you choose and why?

[seanshank]

Shadow, Personally I think that if you think she would eventually go with you on a Elk hunt then go with the 7mm. If she can get used to the high felt recoil then definitely go with the bigger caliber. Do you reload? if so then it probably doesn't matter as much 'cause you can tune either of the calibers to her, the game, and the shot. Its to bad we can't test out guns/rifles then decide.

[Shadow]

I don't reload, but if I did it would be nice to have 2 7mm and use the same bullets. I know the .243 would be the better gun as far as recoil. I just wish I could find a 7mm 08 to let her try. It may not bother her. She has shot a 12 gauge, and although it wasn't pleasant, she handled it. I just don't want her to flinch our worry about a black eye. I am looking at the Model 7 LSS.

[willettm]

I wouldn't recommend it for your possible future elk hunt but the .260 Rem is a great load in between the 7mm08 and .24 (.243, .260, 7mm08 and .308 all share the same base case). I purchased one for my then 7 year old in Model 7 youth Rremington last year. He killed his first deer with it at 140 yds off sand bags in a ladder stand. He'd shoot it all day if Dad would fork out the ammo. He's 4'3" and 83# now and has taken some off hand practice shots with no trouble. He shoots factory 125 grain Nosler partitions and a 120 grain ballistic tip is also available. Good luck, Good Huntin

[denvas]

Shadow,

I recently went through the same decision makeing process with my 13 year old daughter. Because both my 16 year old son and my daughter accompany me on most of my hunting trips, be it for deer, birds, bear or to Africa, I built my daughter a .7mm-08 rifle on my T/C Encore action. To tame the perceived recoil to the point that she was comfortable handling the rifle I installed a Vais muzzlebrake on the 22 inch barrel. Recoil with full power loads can hardly be felt and she successfully harvested a 185 lb sika buck Labor Day weekend and a nice mouflon ram last weekend. Good luck with your decision.